France’s Potential Mega Deposit of ‘White’ Hydrogen: A Game-Changer for Energy Transition

2023-12-19 15:51:06

Jean-Christophe Féraud’s post

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The discovery of a deposit of “white” hydrogen in the Lorraine subsoil is a divine surprise: with this “ready-to-use” gas which can green industry and transport, France could finally accelerate its energy transition. But to revive the promises, the political will will really have to be there.

The information did not make the headlines. And yet: the discovery of a potential mega deposit of 46 million tonnes of “white hydrogen” at Folschviller in Moselle, is big news for all those who, in the wake of COP28, really want to engage “ the transition away from fossil fuels. Hydrogen in its natural state is indeed an excellent candidate if we want to stop emitting greenhouse gases and stop the infernal machine of global warming. It can even become a real low-carbon alternative to conventional oil and gas for industry and chemistry, but also and above all serve as a green fuel for cars, trains and even planes.

The chicken and the egg

Unlike current “gray” hydrogen (obtained by “cracking” hydrocarbons downstream of refineries), or “green” and “yellow” hydrogen (which can be produced by electrolysis of water at from renewable or nuclear electricity), “white” hydrogen is, so to speak, “ready to use” and full of promise. Imagine: a car equipped with a fuel cell can drive 650 km on a full tank, emitting only water vapor as exhaust gas! But unlike classic electric vehicles, these vehicles are still only marketed sparsely.

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#France #plenty #hydrogen #Libération

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